DEC. 12-18, 2025
Construction is set to begin early next year on a $560 million project to send millions of gallons of water each day from the heart of Indy area to Lebanon to aid the state’s 9,000-acre LEAP Research and Innovation District. Daniel Bradley explores the local impact of the project. Also in this week’s issue, Susan Orr outlines the case against a Carmel man facing both criminal and civil charges over his alleged connection to what authorities describe as a $200 million Ponzi scheme. And Mickey Shuey measures the slow recovery of the Indy area’s office market.
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Citizens Energy ready to start work on Lebanon water project
Construction is set to begin early next year on a $560 million project to send millions of gallons of water each day to Lebanon to meet the demands of the state’s 9,000-acre LEAP Research and Innovation District.
Read MoreCarmel man faces 2 federal charges in complex fraud case
Jordan Chirico is facing both criminal charges and civil litigation over his alleged connections to what authorities describe as a $200-million-plus Ponzi scheme.
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Ryan Rohrman leads the auto dealership group his grandfather started
The younger Rohrman, 41, worked his way up through roles as sales manager, used car manager, new car manager and general sales manager before leading his first store about 15 years ago.
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State health insurance plan changes reflect Braun’s vision
For 2026, the plan features significantly lower out-of-pocket costs for members who use the plan’s “narrow network” that limits choice.
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Suburbs, downtown seeing uptick in office demand after years of decline
After tens of millions of dollars of investment by property owners and developers, industry insiders say the office market is finally beginning to show signs of long-term recovery.
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Derek Schultz: Bulldogs seek return to former success while navigating new landscape
Joking aside, Matta knows that navigating roster turnover is now the name of the game in major college basketball.
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Local developers plan 238-unit housing project on theater site at Glendale
The 8-acre development at Glendale Town Center would consist of 193 apartments in four buildings and 48 townhouses in eight buildings.
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Martin University to pause operations
The Indianapolis-based university cited “financial and student enrollment challenges that has the board exploring ways to continue Martin’s mission of providing a quality education to its students.”
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Local developer eyes apartments for long-vacant site on city’s north side
New plans call for 240 apartments across four buildings, along with a clubhouse, surface parking and some covered parking spaces on a parcel abutting Allison Lake.
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Indy Maven CEO sells company to pair of local residential brokers
Leslie Bailey sold Indy Maven to residential real estate brokers and entrepreneurs Colleen Hungerford and Bhavna Thapar.
Read MoreOpinionBack to Top
Kudos to state, Lilly Endowment for continued focus on literacy
We were excited last week when state officials announced a public–private investment of nearly $75 million to accelerate literacy, expand high-quality summer learning, strengthen STEM programs, modernize and expand career advising, and maintain digital learning tools for Hoosier students.
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Lesley Weidenbener: CEOs share wisdom at IBJ awards event
My favorite parts of the CEO of the Year and C-Suite Awards event were conversations that Nate, Managing Editor Samm Quinn and I had with the CEO of the Year winners.
Read MoreKaren Jung: State must lead in AI literacy as it has in computer science
As we close out national CS Education Week, we’re asking parents, educators, policymakers and other community leaders to join us in this critical effort.
Read MoreAhnaf Tahmid: How a district found $15M to fund workforce investment
When we stop managing decline and start hunting for efficiency, we can solve our biggest challenges without asking the taxpayers for a bailout.
Read MoreJess Carter: AI can help leaders learn new skills, sharpen existing ones
Over the past year, I’ve gone from AI-curious to AI-immersed, and it’s genuinely made me a better leader.
Read MoreCecil Bohanon and John Horowitz: Economic prosperity depends on integrity of government data
Government spending and monetary policy both influence and are influenced by economic performance.
Read MoreJalene Hahn: Here’s how to protect yourself from real estate fraud
Scammers usually take ownership of the properties without the owners’ knowledge.
Read MoreIn BriefBack to Top
Democrat Vop Osili won’t seek council presidency again in 2026
The announcement is likely to fuel speculation that Osili is preparing a run for mayor, a possibility he has been coy about.
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Lilly to build $6B plant in Alabama in 3rd of 4 big US investments
Lilly’s planned Huntsville site is part of the drugmaker’s commitment to add four U.S. manufacturing sites through a $27 billion reshoring investment unveiled early this year.
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Michael-Paul Hart: State should set clear guardrails for developments
We need higher standards, better coordination and deals that work for residents.
Read MoreBen Inskeep: Centers likely will spur utility costs as AI makes slop
We’re already paying the price, both literally and figuratively, when it comes to AI data centers.
Read MoreRep. Todd Huston: Data centers are powering today’s modern economy
We’re competing for these projects not just with other cities and states but with countries across the globe.
Read MoreDana Black: If voters don’t want redistricting, whom is it for?
Indiana Republicans surrendered to pressure and relinquished their authority to govern this state.
Read MoreRep. Ed DeLaney: The decline of the Indiana House of Representatives
The Republicans used to argue from principles and participate in debate.
Read MoreGeorge Gemelas: Here’s why young people feel disgust, disengagement
Who would dare engage in public life when doing so means toxic people, toxic behavior and … threats on your life?
Read MoreNathan Gotsch: Elected officials critical of their parties in private
To understand the landscape clearly, we sought frank assessments of both major parties.
Read MoreJennifer Wagner Chartier: Help young voters learn the ‘new normal’ isn’t normal
We have to model the behavior we hope they will emulate.
Read MoreBill Taft: Our mayor-centric civic culture needs to be replaced
Indianapolis should adapt its own leadership culture to invest in decentralized and intersecting ‘dense networks’ of engaged residents.
Read MoreAbdul-Hakim Shabazz: Map maker, map maker, make me a map …
The map maker might finish its work, but the judges may end up holding the pen.
Read MoreWhitley Yates: What the Pacers taught me about building a team
Talent without chemistry is just cardio in a different uniform.
Read MoreClaire Fiddian-Green: Navigating AI’s impact, personally and professionally
The good news is that Indiana is an early adopter of AI tools in K-12 education.
Read MoreDeborah Daniels: Military again faces probe about legality of an order
The U.S. military suffered severe reputational damage as a direct consequence of My Lai.
Read MoreKaren Celestino-Horseman: Trump displays cruelty, impulsivity, incoherence
If you and I ignore Trump, in three years America may not be our America.
Read MoreCurt Smith: ‘Birth dearth’ is here, with economic consequences
Fewer children are being born in Indiana, across America and around the globe.
Read MoreJim Shella: Nexstar deal could further weaken TV news industry
Nexstar seems intent on owning as many TV stations as possible, including three in Indy.
Read MoreBrad Rateike: Movies play key role in a feel-good Christmas
I hope we can all agree on one important point: “Die Hard” is a Christmas movie.
Read MoreDr. Richard Feldman: Forget ‘fatigue’: COVID vaccine is safe and effective
There are potential long-term, life-changing consequences from COVID.
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